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The Jacomo Chorale is pleased to present its 2024 Christmas concert on December 14th. The concert, "Rise up and Celebrate" will be performed at Mission Woods Community of Christ, 2800 NW Duncan Rd, Blue Springs, at 7:00pm. Directed by Noila Ortega and accompanied by Hemdah Salonimer-Horner, the program will feature both classic and newer seasonal music as well as an audience sing-along. Percussion and additional accompaniment will be provided by Luis Rojas. Admission is free and donations are gratefully accepted. Products from Equal Exchange, a fair-trade organization, will be available for purchase and there will be a raffle for baskets with a variety of contents. For more information, visit Jacomochorale.org.  
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Challenge to voter ID law heading for appeal to Missouri Supreme Courtby Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent A challenge to Missouri’s voter ID law will proceed to the state Supreme Court following a Cole County decision upholding the 2022 legislation, opponents said Tuesday. The decision by Circuit Judge Jon Beetem found the individual voters and organizations that sued — the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters — were unable to show they had been harmed by the application of the law and lacked standing to bring the case. And addressing the particulars of their challenge, Beetem wrote the burdens were not onerous on any individual voter. Need to get in touch?Have a news tip?The law requires voters to show a Missouri or federally issued identification that includes a photo, the holder’s date of birth and an expiration date. Identification that has been expired for less than a year is acceptable. “The individual plaintiffs and/or Missouri voters generally do not have a legally protectable interest in avoiding the everyday burdens of getting an expired license renewed,” Beetem wrote. “Any of the individual plaintiffs’ alleged injuries in this regard are generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole.” The appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court will argue that Beetem applied the wrong standard to his analysis, said Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and one of the lead attorneys on the case. The focus should be on the sometimes insurmountable burdens that thousands of Missourians face obtaining the documents to secure the needed identification, she said. “The court got the test wrong,” Lieberman said. “It is the burden of the state to demonstrate it has no other way to advance its interests than through a law that burdens voters in this way.” Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was the defendant in the case, praised the result as a victory for election integrity. “To maintain a secure system for voting, it only stands to reason that a photo ID should be essential,” Ashcroft said in a news release. The timeline for the appeal is uncertain. The ruling will not be final for 30 days, so the high court will not start setting a schedule until that time. If the law is overturned, it will also end the two week period of “no-excuse absentee” voting that proved its popularity this year. The early voting period was part of a compromise deal to allow the voter ID measure to come to a vote in the Missouri Senate. Establishing a government-issued photo ID as the only acceptable form of identification for voting is a longstanding goal of Republican politicians in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, voters could also present a county-issued voter ID card, a student identification card, a birth certificate or a recent utility bill with their name and address as proof in order to vote. After the courts rebuffed earlier attempts to enact a photo ID law, Republicans in 2016 placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that specifically allowed it. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
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That vote was followed in 2017 by a law that allowed a voter who did not have a photo ID, but who had one of the other forms, to have their ballot counted if they signed an affidavit of their identity. The Missouri Supreme Court overturned that law in 2020. The law challenged in the decision issued Monday has been in effect since 2022 while the case has been argued. A voter who does not have proper identification can cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted if they return to the polls with their ID or if their signature matches the one on file. To succeed in their challenge, Beetem wrote, the plaintiffs had to prove “that there is no set of circumstances under which the challenged provisions of (House Bill)1878 are constitutional.” They were unable to do so, he wrote. None of the individual plaintiffs had been denied a ballot at any election and the issues they raised — inability to obtain documents proving a name is misspelled or the expiration of an ID and the trouble involved in renewing it — have not been barriers to voting, he wrote. The issues raised, he wrote, “do not present a substantial or severe burden upon the right to vote.” The state has an interest in protecting elections and the public confidence they are fair, Beetem wrote. There was no evidence, however, that photo ID had prevented cheating. “There was evidence that possible voter impersonation has been brought to the attention of local election authorities,” Beeem wrote. “However, no credible evidence was adduced of any voter impersonation which would have been prevented by requiring photo ID.” Beetem missed that voters lose confidence in elections if they are uncertain if their vote will be counted, Lieberman said. “Missouri has had a voter ID law on the books since 2002 and it worked fine because it allowed voters to show a range of forms of valid ID, including a voter registration card,” she said. The organizations backing the challenge said the case needs to be appealed so it is easier for Missourians to vote. “There’s no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri, so these extreme restrictions don’t make our elections any safer or more secure,” said Marilyn McLeod, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri. The NAACP sees the law as a discriminatory act aimed at lowering turnout among people in minority groups, older adults and students, Nimrod Chapel Jr., president of the Missouri NAACP State Conference said in a news release. “While these laws aim to fix an imaginary problem,” he said, “the disenfranchisement from the unnecessary and burdensome legal obstacles they create for voters is very real.” GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected]. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. 
The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of November 20-26, 2024. November 20, 2024 PHQ Walk In Report 500 BLK JAMES ROLLO DR Alarm-Commercial 1000 BLK E RYAN RD Citizen Contact 1200 BLK NW SAWGRASS DR Suspicious Person 1300 BLK SW CROSS CREEK DR Abandoned Vehicle 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Crash Non-Injury PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Warrant Arrest 1200 BLK NW SCENIC DR Citizen Contact November 21, 2024 300 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Parking Complaint/Viol 1000 BLK SW EAGLE DR Citizen Contact 1200 BLK WILLOW DR Open Door-Structure 500 BLK SW HILLSIDE DR Open Door-Structure 1600 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Alarm-Commercial 600 BLK YENNIE AVE Disturbance-Verbal 1200 BLK BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Careless and Imprudent Driver 400 BLK SW LAURA LN Open Door-Structure 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Assault 900 BLK SW RYAN RD Threats 1600 BLK EAGLE RIDGE Area Check 1400 BLK NW MADISON CT Citizen Contact 1300 BLK SW CROSS CREEK DR Abandoned Vehicle; Area Check ELIZABETH ST / KIRBY Suspicious Vehicle PHQ Walk In Report 800 BLK SW ORCHARD CT Check Well Being WOODLAND/SNI-A-BAR Fail To Yield 1400 BLK GOLFVIEW DR Alarm-Commercial EB 70 RAMP Motorist Assist PHQ Public Service PHQ Public Service November 22, 2024 BARR RD / SCENIC Sound of Shots 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY Alarm-Commercial 700 BLK N MAIN Motorist Assist 1300 BLK NW BROADWAY ST Security Check 1400 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 100-200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 1100 BLK NW ASPEN CT Citizen Contact 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Stealing Under 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Citizen Assist 200 BLK CROSS CREEK LN Suspicious Vehicle 700 BLK SW TISHA LN Suspicious Person 1300 BLK NW R D MIZE RD UNIT A Public Service 1100 BLK SW SANDY LN Standby to Prevent PHQ Citizen Assist 600 BLK SW NELSON DR Area Check 900 BLK NW MAPLEWOOD CT Alarm-Residential 300 BLK FRONT ST Citizen Contact R D MIZE RD Area Check November 23, 2024 800 BLK THIEME ST Suspicious Person 4500 BLK NW RUST RD Area Check 700 BLK SQUIRE CT Alarm-Commercial 1600 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Alarm-Commercial 1300 BLK NW VALLEY WOODS CT UNIT A Suspicious Activity 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Security Check 600 BLK NW JEFFERSON ST Security Check 1400/1500 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 1100 BLK CHRISMAN FARM RD Security Check 1300 BLK NW BROADWAY ST Security Check 900 BLK NE DEER CREEK RD Repossession 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Assault 1200 BLK NW SAWGRASS DR Property Damage 800 BLK SW FOXTAIL DR Alarm-Residential PHQ Public Service PHQ Public Service 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Trespass GOLDEN BELT/CHEATHAM Agency Assist LE; Area Check 100 BLK SUNNY LN Agency Assist EMS 600 BLK YENNIE AVE Disturbance-Physical GREEN DR/LONG DR Suspicious Vehicle E DUNCAN RD / S DILLINGHAM RD Check Well Being November 24, 2024 100 BLK N CENTRAL ST Area Check; Citizen Contact 300 BLK NE COLDWATER CREEK RD Noise SNI A BAR / JOSEPH LN Parking Complaint/Viol 200 BLK NW WOODBURY DR Citizen Assist 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Suspicious Activity 1000 BLK SW EAGLES RIDGE DR Agency Assist EMS 600 BLK NW YENNIE Disturbance-Verbal November 25, 2024 300 BLK AARON LN Area Check 1400 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Stealing Under BUCKNER TARSNEY AND RUST RD Animal Control 1100 BLK SW SANDY LN Harassment PHQ Walk In Report RAILROAD TRACKS / KIRBY Trespass 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Stealing Vehicle 1300 BLK SW MINTER WAY Agency Assist EMS 1200 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK NW CHRISMAN FARM RD Alarm-Commercial 200 BLK OF SNIABAR Area Check R D MIZE RD / MONKEY MOUNTAIN Area Check MEADOW/LONG DR Suspicious Vehicle 600 BLK SW NELSON DR Disturbance-Physical 800 BLK VALLEY WOODS DR Noise 1400 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Extra Patrol BUSH DR Security Check November 26, 2024 900 BLK NW PECAN DR Open Door-Structure 600 BLK NELSON DR Suspicious Activity 1600 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Alarm-Commercial CHRISMAN FARM RD / JEFFERSON Crash Non-Injury 600 BLK NW YENNIE AVE Standby to Prevent MINTER RD/BLUE BRANCH Disturbance-Physical 1100 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Check Well Being 600 BLK NELSON DR Disturbance-Verbal NELSON DR Area Check 1200 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Public Service PHQ Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Crash Left Scene 1100 BLK S MAIN (BUCKNER TARSNEY) Standby to Prevent 1000 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Suspicious Person Additional calls for service: Suicidal subject: 1 CIT/Mental Health Welfare Check: 1  Missouri AG’s efforts to undo Jackson County property assessments dealt another blowby Allison Kite, Missouri Independent State officials’ hopes of rolling back Jackson County property assessment increases are floundering after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit by the State Tax Commission on Wednesday. The commission in August ordered Jackson County to reverse most of its 2023 property valuations, arguing they had been performed illegally and resulted in huge increases in property values. But the county didn’t comply. Jackson County officials called the State Tax Commission’s August order “unconstitutional” and “unprecedented” and said it only took action to cover for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s failures in his own efforts to undo the property assessments. The State Tax Commission then sought a court order to force the county to cap property assessments to a 15% increase since the last assessment — unless new construction or building improvements increased the value. That effort was dismissed Wednesday.
Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. thanked county residents in a statement Wednesday “for their patience and understanding as we’ve worked to address problems that have been decades in the making.” “Our goal remains ensuring that every property owner is treated fairly under the law,” White said. Gregory Allsberry, chief counsel for the State Tax Commission, said in an email that the judge did not find the commission’s order invalid. “The commission’s order is still a valid order, despite Jackson County’s refusal to comply, and the Commission will continue to do all within its power to enforce the order,” Allsberry said. “It will also do everything within its power to ensure that Jackson county’s assessing officials don’t commit the violations of state law in 2025 that they did during the 2023 reassessment cycle.” Neither Bailey’s office nor the State Tax Commission immediately returned requests for comment. Jackson County’s property valuation process has been in near-constant litigation since Bailey and the State Tax Commission first sued the county in December. According to that lawsuit, the county’s 2023 reassessment process resulted in an average 30% increase in value across hundreds of thousands of properties in the county. The lawsuit says more than 90% of residential properties saw an increase in value, and values increased by at least 15% for three-quarters of properties in the county. The increase in property values means an increase in property taxes for some owners. Bailey and the State Tax Commission accused Jackson County of failing to follow proper procedures in the valuation process, including performing physical inspections, before increasing property values by more than 15%. During the litigation, Bailey and a deputy came under fire for meeting with a Jackson County official without notifying the county’s attorneys. Under Missouri Supreme Court rules, attorneys are not to communicate about a lawsuit with individuals represented in the case by another lawyer without the consent of the other lawyer. Bailey maintained that his meeting with the official, Sean Smith, was nothing more than a campaign meeting. At the time, Smith, a member of the Jackson County Legislature, was running for the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II, who won with 60% of the vote earlier this month. Jackson County’s attorneys were granted permission by the judge in the case to question Bailey under oath about his meetings with Smith. But in August, a day before Bailey was scheduled to sit for the deposition, the State Tax Commission issued its order and Bailey’s office had the case dismissed. At the time, Bailey’s spokeswoman, Madeline Sieren, said the state dismissed the lawsuit because of the State Tax Commission’s order. “Pushing the lawsuit forward could have jeopardized the much needed relief offered in the Tax Commission’s order and would be counterproductive for Jackson County taxpayers,” Sieren said in an August email. The county said at the time that the State Tax Commission was “being used as a shield for…Bailey, who is trying to escape accountability after lying and realizing he was losing the case.” When the county didn’t comply with the August order, the State Tax Commission sought a court order to force the issue. In response, the county said in a filing that the State Tax Commission was attempting to bring the same legal claims a second time. That was impermissible, the county argued, because the original lawsuit was dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning the case couldn’t be brought again. Senior Judge Jacqueline Cook, who handled the case because the circuit judges in Jackson County recused themselves, dismissed the case with prejudice Wednesday. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected]. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. by Addie Rainbolt The Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group held their second meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5:30pm in the Burgess Room in the Grain Valley Community Center. This meeting focused on design consideration and priorities concerning the rebuilding or renovation of the Grain Valley City Hall, Community Center and Aquatics Center. This meeting was intended to give the architects at Hoefer Welker a starting point so they may begin designing the facilities. The Focus Group took a tour of the current municipal facilities at their last meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and began this meeting by discussing their perceptions of the facilities’ needs, and if a renovation or rebuild would be more appropriate. Lisa Limberg, Ward 2 representative, said the Community Center and City Hall have significant wear and tear, as well as poor infrastructure and organization. To renovate the facilities would be “like putting lipstick on a pig,” Limberg said, and would not resolve the current and long term operational issues. Ryan Schinstock, at-large representative, said building all “new [facilities] would be good… but we have to be responsible.” Schinstock said the biggest obstacles the city will face to get residents on board with rebuilding the facilities will be cost and location. The focus group must consider the needs of all residents, Schinstock said, from all areas of Grain Valley. Moreover, Schinstock said, relocating the municipal facilities to the south side of Grain Valley, and the train tracks, may upset north-side residents. Bruce Neer, Ward 1 representative, said the facilities are not viable for expansion. So, even putting the wear and tear aside, Neer said, the facilities will not be able to support Grain Valley as it grows. Mike Cassidy, Ward 1 representative, said the current facilities, specifically the Community Center and pool, lack identity and enticingness. The facilities should reflect the community, Cassidy said, not simply serve their purpose. Shannon Davies, Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Director, said the facilities need to be larger considering the expected community growth, but larger facilities require more land for expansion and parking, which the current municipal facilities’ campus does not have. Limberg asked Davies if these larger facilities would also require more city staff. According to Davies, the amount of city staff would increase, so the cost of admission to some of these facilities, such as the Aquatics Center and exercise room in the Community Center, would need to be reconsidered to accommodate for these increases. Ken Henton, Hoefer Welker partner, said the amenities these facilities offer will be longer-lasting, more versatile, and designed for residents of all types. Nick Lawler, Hoefer Welker partner, listed some versatile amenity options for the Aquatics Center. Some options the focus group discussed prioritizing were shaded and turfed deck space, slides, diving boards, a lazy river, a wet deck and a zero-entry area. The focus group also discussed some Community Center needs including gathering rooms available for party rentals, a regulation-size basketball court with sidelines and bleachers, an elevated track, furnished exercise room, and indoor child play area. The focus group discussed City Hall needs, including adequate staff offices and cubical space, a lobby and reception area, a court and aldermen chamber, and private, large meeting rooms. The focus group was concerned with the expandability of the new facilities and being prepared for future growth in Grain Valley. Steve Wolf, meeting facilitator, said when building for the future, it is important to “give yourself enough room to grow in the capability to host a larger community.” However, Wolf said, these larger spaces do not need to be filled until necessary. Ken Murphy, city administrator, said the new facilities should not be created to be “just a rec[recreation] center, but a community center” with the community’s needs at the forefront, including those of the future community. The Hoefer Welker partners will hold a design charrette in the community room at the Grain Valley Police Department Dec. 10-13 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group will meet next on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.  With the holidays fast approaching, the magic of the season comes to life for thousands at Jackson County Parks + Rec’s 26th Annual Christmas in the Sky and 37th Annual Christmas in the Park holiday events.
Christmas in the Sky will kick off the holiday season, Wednesday, November 27 at Longview Lake Beach. This holiday fireworks spectacular, courtesy of Parks + Rec and 99.7 The Point, has provided the opening night festivities for Jackson County’s Christmas in the Park since 1997. The free event includes a holiday stage show featuring 100 talented singers and dancers from Monica's School of Dance in Lee’s Summit, who have performed at this event every year since 1997, plus the cast of the Quality Hill Playhouse holiday cabaret, "Christmas in Song," and Soul Harpist Calvin Arsenia. Look for Santa’s arrival to present the “First Gift of Christmas” to a Dream Factory child, ahead of the colorful fireworks show, which will be synchronized to holiday music on 99.7 The Point. Gates open for the 26th Annual Christmas in the Sky event on Wednesday, November 27th at 5:00pm. The Holiday Stage Show begins at 6:00pm with fireworks following at 7:45pm. Longview Lake Beach is located at 11101 Raytown Road, two miles south of I-470. Topping off the evening, 200 animated displays and 1.5 million lights will illuminate your magical drive through Jackson County’s 37th Annual Christmas in the Park! The 37th Annual Christmas in the Park will be held Wednesday, November 27 – Tuesday, December 31st. Hours are Sunday – Thursday, 5:30pm – 10:00pm; Friday – Saturday, 5:30pm - 11:00pm. The drive begins at the Frank White, Jr. Softball Complex, 3901 SW Longview Park Road, two miles south of I-470 off View High Drive. Guests will also see an expanded Candy Land area and some fun, new additions as they enter and exit the park. “Jackson County’s holiday events, particularly Christmas in the Sky and Christmas in the Park, bring our community together in a spirit of joy and celebration,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “It is heartwarming to witness families and friends gathering to enjoy the magic of the season. As we kick off this holiday tradition, I invite everyone to join us in creating cherished memories and supporting our local charities. Together, we can make this season brighter for those in need.” Since the opening of Christmas in the Park in 1987, three million people have made this magical drive a part of their annual holiday experience. Christmas in the Park welcomes 300,000 visitors annually. We thank our media partners, FOX4 and 99.7 The Point, for their continued support of this popular holiday attraction. While there is no charge for this drive-thru event, voluntary exit donations are accepted, with a portion of the proceeds divided among 35 area charities this year. Thanks to the generosity of Christmas in the Park patrons, Jackson County has been able to give over $1.3 million to more than 1,000 local charities since the event’s inception. For more information and directions, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com. by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, November 18th, for its November meeting. To start the meeting, Police Chief Ed Turner presented Michael Staat with his sergeant badge. Moving on to the business portion of the meeting, the Board discussed a potential liquor license for El Tequilazo Cocina Y Cantina dba Riviera Maya Mexican Restaurant. The only change from its previous license is that the business is requesting a Sunday license. The business has almost all the required paperwork in besides its insurance. Once all the paperwork has been submitted the board will give its final approval for the license. The board then moved into resolutions. The first resolution the board approved authorizes the write off of doubtful outstanding utility account balances. This is a yearly process the city does in order to write off the debt from uncollectable and bankrupt accounts in order to report accounts more accurately. The second resolution the board approved will allow the city to purchase mobile data terminals for police patrol vehicles. This will update the department’s aging in-car computers. Next, the board moved to ordinances. The first ordinance the board approved calls for an election to take place in the city on April 8, 2025. This resolution will be brought back by title only at the next meeting. The second ordinance the board approved was the 2025 fiscal year budget and comprehensive fee schedule. This is the acceptance of a balanced budget for the 2025 fiscal year that was discussed in previous workshops. This ordinance will be brought back by title only at the next meeting. In his report, Mayor Mike Todd highlighted the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting that will take place on December 5th at 6:00pm. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place on December 9th at 6:30pm inside City Hall. Junior Gage Wright brought home the first state championship for the Grain Valley High School Swim and Dive team this past weekend after placing first in the 1 M diving event with a score of 409.15. Senior Asa Keim placed third in the 1 M diving event with a score of 383.20. Both were the only Class 1 divers in the state to exceed 400 points in the 11-dive, 1-meter diving competitions at districts. In District 4, Wright had a top score of 466.15. Keim was second with a score of 437.85. Wright and Keim finished third and 10th at the state competition, respectively last season. Previous reporting: November 14, 2024 - Good News: Eagles’ Wright, Keim are favorites to win diving event at StateQuick News - Grain Valley News  Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society As mentioned previously, The Smithsonian Museum on Main Street is coming to Grain Valley on November 1, 2025! In 344 days “Democracy: Voices and Votes will open for six weeks at the Historical Society Museum in Downtown Grain Valley. In addition to the 800 square feet Smithsonian Exhibit, we are responsible for a local exhibit demonstrating how democracy has played a significant role in the history of Grain Valley; how “yes”, and sometimes “no” votes have shaped our town. Over the next eleven months, I will from time to time write about historical events in Grin Valley which were shaped by the voice and vote of the citizens. On the night of December 4, 1959, a major fire destroyed two downtown buildings; the Huff Building and Napier Hardware. They were destroyed because our town had no water to fight the flames. Although the vote for water had been on a ballot more than 10 times in as many years, the issue received a resounding NO from the town folks. The Jackson County Democrat Thursday, December 10, 1959 Grain Valley Burned buildings were built About the turn of century I am writing this news at the home of Mrs. Hugh Mote. We have had no telephone service since the fire Friday night. If anyone has tried to call me with news and got no answer, that is why. The Nellie Huff Douglas building that burned was built about 1898 and the hardware store was built a few years later. The building now owned by Mrs. Douglas was built by Ed Williams, father of Otis Williams of Grain Valley. He also made the bricks, having a brick kiln where the Claude Elliott property now is. (The house was at the end of Walnut Street, east of Main Street) It was a total loss. Eleven rooms were furnished or partly furnished for apartments. Only one was occupied at the time of the fire, but Mrs. Douglas had a lot of things stored there, including keepsakes and wedding presents, some new furniture was in it and Mr. and Mr. Kenneth Turner had some furniture stored there. Mrs. Douglas feels especially sad about the loss of an old Bible in which she had a picture of her mother. And her china cabinet burned, in which were a lot of dishes—part of them being a set of new Blue Willow which her daughter, Mrs. Roland Frantz, had given her. In past years the lower floor was used for business. (Elmer) Rumbo and (Shirlee) Caldwell had a grocery store there a number of years. Goin grocery, a garage, several restaurants, an electrical shop, radio repair shop and for a short time, a 5& Dime store. And for a while, an apartment. Mr. and Mrs. Loring owned the hardware from 1911 until Mrs. Loring’s death in 1942. Mr. Loring died in 1929. While they owned it they enlarged the store. After their deaths, Walter Hoehn owned it until he sold it to Cecil Poage in 1945. Then he sold it to Charley Napier (and his wife, Mildred in 1949), who was owner at the time of the fire. Elmer Rumbo worked there for (the) Napiers. The Red Cross served coffee to the fire fighters etc., from the basement of the Christian church. It was carried on trays to those who could not leave their posts to go to the church. A lot of women helped. The church was left opened all night for the coffee-serving. Also Harold Frantz, Roland Frantz, and Ray Frantz served coffee n sandwiches from the Frantz garage. (Mrs. Gene Williamson was the Grain Valley reporter for The Jackson County Democrat.) On that warm and balmy December evening embers from the fire drifted to several nearby homes and businesses and the volunteer firemen and crews from more that 10 nearby towns were able to put out several roof fires throughout the town. As a result of the fire a special bond election was held on December 19, 1959. The following information comes from city records: Bill No. 1, Ordinance No. 76 declaring the results of the election to wit: (1) proposition to issue the general obligation bonds of the city in the amount of $85,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing a waterworks to be owned exclusively by said city and (23) proposition to issue the waterworks revenue bonds of the city in the amount of $98,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing a waterworks to be owned exclusively by said city, results as follows: (the same for both Proposition 1 & 2: First Ward For the bond . . . . . . . . 121 ballots Against the bond . . . . . 2 ballots Second Ward For the bond . . . . . . . . . 140 ballots Against the bond . . . . . . 7 ballots Amazing how many people got “all fired up” and after years of NO votes, they became a resounding YES! The VOICE OF THE PEOPLE WAS HEARD. THE VOTE WAS YES.  EVENING, DECEMBER 4, 1959 Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society  THE NEXT MORNING, DECEMBER 5, 1959 Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society  St. Mary’s Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. This is the third year in a row for St. Mary’s Medical Center to receive this award. I’m very proud of our staff and providers for the exceptional care that they deliver to our patients. We are focused on providing the very best health care and patient experience to our community without having to leave eastern Jackson County, Chief Executive Officer Kelly Pearce said. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.  |
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